By Miguel Rivera
A deal has been reached, as WBC super featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt will defend his crown against former champion and countryman Cristian Mijares.
The fight will take place in Cancun, and the event will be promoted by Max Abraham's Max Boxing, Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, Pepe Gomez of Cancun Boxing, and Boxing Time Promotions by Guillermo Rocha.
The showdown has been set down for Saturday February 10, in Cancun, Mexico at a venue to be confirmed.
Berchelt has not fought in his hometown for seven years. And now he returns to his place of birth as a world champion.
Undoubtedly 2017 was a dream for Berchelt, who became a world champion on January 28 by removing the title from Francisco " Bandido" Vargas, and later in the year (July 15) he retained the title by beating the mandatory challenger Takashi Miura of Japan.
Berchelt (31-1-0, 28 KO's) is not taking Mijares (58-8-2, 26 KO's) lightly. The veteran has won his last nine fights in a row.
Mijares has recently beaten fighters such as Tomas "Gusano" Rojas from Veracruz, Shohei Kawashima from Japan and Andrés "Jaguar" Gutiérrez from Queretaro.
IN OTHER NEWS: El Matador Management, Inc. signs middleweight contender, Lamar "The Boxing Que" Russ (17-2, 8 KO's). Felipe Gomez will now be managing the career of Russ, who hails from Wilmington, North Carolina. Gomez will work closely with DiBella Entertainment (Russ' Promoter) as they jointly look to keep Russ busy, while guiding him toward a world title.
"My team is completed now that I have a manager looking out for my best interest," said Lamar Russ. "I'm very happy with the direction that my career will be heading now that I have a manager. Felipe Gomez is a reputable guy and is someone I trust. I know he will get the job done managing my career, and I can't wait to get back in the ring. I am definitely looking forward to my next fight. I would like to thank my family, friends and fans for their continuous support throughout the years. I would also like to shoutout Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. RQQ to all my good brothers!"